Iowa congressional Republicans are reintroducing “Sarah’s Law” as the anniversary of a young woman allegedly killed at the hands of an illegal immigrant approaches, the latest step from GOP lawmakers to tackle the border and immigration with unified control of Washington.
Jan. 31 will mark nine years since Sarah Root, 21, was allegedly killed by Edwin Mejia, an illegal immigrant driving intoxicated three times over the legal limit. Mejia was released on bond more than a week after the incident due to a loophole in federal law, and authorities have not located him since.
Since 2016, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) has introduced the bill to pass “Sarah’s Law,” which would amend mandatory detention provisions and require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain illegal immigrants charged with killing or seriously injuring another person. She will reintroduce the legislation on Monday.
“Sarah Root had her entire life ahead of her before it was senselessly taken by someone who never should have been in this country,” Ernst said in an exclusive statement to the Washington Examiner. “Her family has been forced to endure a living nightmare without closure because a glaring loophole in the law has allowed her killer to remain on the run for nearly nine years.”
A companion bill is also being introduced in the House by Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA). He originally sponsored the legislation in 2021, but it stalled in a Judiciary Committee subcommittee.
If signed into law, “Sarah’s Law” would work in tandem with the Laken Riley Act, the first bill passed out of the House in the 119th Congress. The legislation, named for a nursing student killed by an illegal immigrant while jogging, would allow federal authorities to detain illegal immigrants who have committed theft-related crimes.
“Sarah’s Law” and the Laken Riley Act are part of a larger effort by House and Senate Republicans to tackle illegal immigration and the border crisis after decisive victories in the 2024 election.
With President-elect Donald Trump ascending to the White House with his inauguration on Jan. 20, Republicans will hold a trifecta, and several House GOP messaging bills blocked by Senate Democrats will have a chance to reach the Oval Office for a signature.
“For years, I have worked tirelessly to pass Sarah’s Law to honor her memory, hold illegal immigrants that cause bodily harm to our citizens accountable, and ensure this never happens again,” Ernst said. “I will not give up this fight for justice, because our laws should not prioritize illegal immigrants over the safety of Americans.”
Republicans pledged to pass immigration and border legislation on “day one” during their 2024 campaigns. Democrats find themselves between a rock and a hard place with these bills, as voters during the 2024 election overwhelmingly selected the border as one of the top issues on their minds while heading to the polls.
Since Vice President Kamala Harris’s loss to Trump and the loss of Senate majority control, Democrats have been in a period of political reflection and revamping — particularly over policy areas such as immigration.
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The Laken Riley Act passed with 48 House Democrats, up from the 37 Democrats who voted for the bill last Congress. The legislation cleared the filibuster in the Senate a few days later after 33 Democrats sided with Republicans in voting in favor of proceeding to debate the bill, 84 to 9.
Whether “Sarah’s Law” quickly becomes law remains to be seen. While the House could approve the bill out of committee and onto the chamber floor, the Senate will likely be bogged down by Trump’s Cabinet nominations and confirmation hearings, as well as a reconciliation bill that is being debated within the party.
